“Ibero-American filmmakers are some of the most exciting visionaries in the industry today,” MIFF’s executive director Jaie Laplante said. “As the competition for our flagship Knight Ibero-American Grand Jury Prize becomes increasingly intense, working with Lexus to create a special award for emerging filmmakers making their ‘opera primas’ gives us an opportunity to especially highlight the new generation of filmmakers.”

“The competition serves as a valuable extension to the festival’s commitment of developing and nurturing films from Latin America, Portugal and Spain,” MIFF’s senior Ibero-American programme consultant Diana Sanchez said. ”Given that it’s difficult for many first time filmmakers to gain momentum and attention for their projects, the competition serves as a great vehicle to expose their works to global audiences and the most astute professionals in the industry.”

The Miami Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film returns in 2012 when a $2,500 cash prize will be on offer.

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